Ancient World Seminar: Wout van Bekkum (RuG), "Current Trends in Studies of Jewish Liturgical Poetry: The Binding of Isaac in Hymns for Synagogue and Church"

Abstract

Dramatic advances have been made in the study of Hebrew hymnology, due in large part to the Cairo Genizah, now almost entirely available online. Forgotten synagogue poets from classical and medieval times have been rediscovered, some of them credited with more than one thousand hymns preserved in manuscripts. Jewish poets share biblical motifs with contemporary Christian colleagues: the story of Genesis 22 is prominent. The binding (sacrifice) of Isaac will be discussed in songs translated from Hebrew, Aramaic, Syriac, and Greek-Byzantine traditions.

About the Speaker

Wout van Bekkum is professor of Middle East Studies at the University of Groningen. His expertise lies in the field of Semitic languages and culture, especially the different varieties of the Hebrew language and Hebrew poetry from Late Antiquity until the Middle Ages. In 1988 he earned his doctor title in Medieval Hebrew Poetry at the University of Groningen with a thesis titled The Qedushta'ot of Yehudah according to Genizah Manuscripts.